T-Junction hoists TZ flag at AMVCA nominations

It was a star studded event this weekend as Africa’s top film makers, actors and actresses crossed fingers and toes in the hopes of being nominated for the prestigious AMVCAs 2018.

The usual suspects dominate the nomination list with Nigeria and Ghana leading the pack of nominees of the awards that are set to be held on September 1 in Lagos Nigeria.

In East Africa Kenya led the nominations with some 15 nominations whereas Uganda got 9 nods in the ever expanding category list.

It was however heartbreak for Tanzania with only two nominations in the Best Cinematographer in T-junction as the same film also got the jury’s nod in the Best Local Language film- Swahili.

Speaking to The Beat after the nominations, Amil Issa Shivji from Kijiweni production said it was a blessing to see this film go places.

The film last year won multiple awards at the Zanzibar International Film Festival which kicks off this weekend at the Ngome Kongwe Amphitheatre.

The nominations comes after anxious moments after the awards missed its traditional timeline which usually is around march with speculation rife that the awards would not take place.

It is still not clear why Tanzanian films made such a poor display even in categories where they were supposed to dominate.

The last time Tanzania won something at the awards was in 2016 when Lulu and Single Mtambalike emerged winners.

The awards which celebrate African film makers was first held in 2013 bringing together the cream of African celebrities in the affluent Victoria Islands in Lagos.